North Country law enforcement, athletes and community partners will carry the Flame of Hope through Plattsburgh while honoring the service and sacrifice remembered on the 25th anniversary of September 11. This year, the event is themed around the Plattsburgh Torch Run: Honoring Special Olympics Athletes.
The Plattsburgh Torch Run will bring law enforcement officers, Special Olympics athletes and community supporters together on Friday, Sept. 11, for a public show of inclusion, service and remembrance. The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics New York will begin with a ceremony at CV Tech before runners travel through the city to Plattsburgh City Hall.
Join us in celebrating the Plattsburgh Torch Run: Honoring Special Olympics Athletes as we come together for this significant occasion.
The event carries added meaning this year because it falls on the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Organizers say the run will honor Special Olympics athletes while also remembering first responders, civilians, military personnel, volunteers and families whose lives were changed by 9/11.
When and Where the Plattsburgh Torch Run Begins
The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 10:15 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, at CV Tech, 1585 Military Turnpike Extension in Plattsburgh. Media may arrive beginning at 9:30 a.m.
From CV Tech, participants will travel from Military Turnpike Extension onto U.S. Route 3, continue onto Cornelia Street and finish at Plattsburgh City Hall.
The route is designed to make the event visible to the wider community. The Torch Run is not simply a race. It is part of a broader movement that connects law enforcement with Special Olympics athletes and promotes acceptance, opportunity and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities.
A Torch Run With a 9/11 Remembrance
New York State Police said this year’s event will also serve as a moment of remembrance for those killed and affected by the Sept. 11 attacks. Nearly 3,000 people were killed that day, and many first responders later developed illnesses connected to their work at the World Trade Center site.
The State Police release also specifically remembered members of the State Police family who died from illnesses linked to their service at the World Trade Center after the attacks.
In one of the release’s most direct messages, State Police wrote: “We remember. We honor. We will never forget.”
That message gives the Plattsburgh Torch Run a dual purpose. The Flame of Hope will represent the determination of Special Olympics athletes while the event also reflects on public service, courage and community unity.
What the Law Enforcement Torch Run Represents
The Law Enforcement Torch Run, often called LETR, is one of the best-known public awareness and fundraising efforts connected with Special Olympics. Special Olympics New York says the program is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026.
For four decades, law enforcement personnel have carried the Flame of Hope in support of athletes with intellectual disabilities. The program brings together police officers, correction officers, sheriff’s deputies, federal officers, first responders, volunteers and community organizations.
Special Olympics New York coordinates programs across nine regions in the state. Clinton County is part of the organization’s North Country Region, along with Essex, Franklin and St. Lawrence counties.
Why the event matters
At its core, the Torch Run sends a straightforward message: people with intellectual disabilities deserve the same opportunities to compete, lead, belong and be celebrated as anyone else.
The Plattsburgh event also shows how public safety agencies can connect with residents outside of an emergency or enforcement setting. Officers will be visible not because of a crisis, but because they are supporting athletes and a community cause.
- Inclusion: The event highlights the abilities and achievements of Special Olympics athletes.
- Community: Local, state and federal agencies will participate alongside businesses and volunteers.
- Service: The run connects public service with a broader commitment to helping others.
- Remembrance: This year’s event will honor those lost and affected by the Sept. 11 attacks.
Many North Country Agencies Are Taking Part
The participating organizations listed by State Police represent a wide cross-section of public safety and community partners. They include New York State Police Troop B, the Plattsburgh City Police Department, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, Essex County Sheriff’s Office, Saranac Lake Police Department and Lake Placid Police Department.
Federal participants are expected to include U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Department of Homeland Security units, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Plattsburgh Field Office and the Federal Bureau of Prisons at FCI Ray Brook.
Other participating groups include Plattsburgh State University Police, New York State Environmental Conservation Police, New York State Forest Rangers, state court officers, Clinton County Probation, the Zone 9 Police Academy and the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.
Local businesses and community partners are also supporting the event, including Texas Roadhouse in Plattsburgh, Walmart Supercenter, Taylor Rental and Finney Sports.
Traffic Advisory for Friday Morning
Drivers traveling through Plattsburgh Friday morning should plan for slow-moving traffic and possible temporary delays while runners move along the route.
State Police identified several areas where delays may occur:
- Route 3 and Military Turnpike Extension
- Industrial Boulevard
- Hammond Lane
- Route 3 and Interstate 87
- LaBarre Road
- Smithfield Boulevard
- Consumer Square
- Hailey Avenue
Motorists are being asked to slow down, allow extra travel time and watch for runners, pedestrians, emergency vehicles and law enforcement personnel.
A Community Event Built Around Service
The 2026 Plattsburgh Torch Run arrives at a moment when its themes of inclusion and public service have special resonance. Special Olympics athletes will be at the center of the event, while the anniversary of 9/11 provides a solemn reminder of sacrifice and the strength communities can show during difficult times.
For residents who see the runners along the route, the event offers a chance to support athletes, thank public servants and reflect on the importance of standing together.
Those traveling through the area Friday morning should use caution and expect delays. Those who are able to attend can also turn out along the route to encourage the athletes and participants carrying the Flame of Hope through Plattsburgh.
Sources
- New York State Police, “Law Enforcement Torch Run to Honor Special Olympics Athletes in Plattsburgh, NY,” Sept. 8, 2026.
- Special Olympics New York, Law Enforcement Torch Run and regional information.
